Northumberland Strait Coastal Restoration Project-Community Knowledge Survey

Clean Foundation’s Northumberland Strait Coastal Restoration Project is seeking public input about saltmarshes in the Northumberland Strait region of mainland Nova Scotia to help identify potential restoration sites. 

Saltmarshes, also known as tidal wetlands, occur worldwide as part of estuaries and along the coast.  They are regularly flooded by the ocean tides and are covered in grasses. Often called “blue carbon ecosystems”, they capture and store large amounts of carbon in their soil, and are among the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on earth.  Saltmarshes are known to provide sheltered habitats for important terrestrial and aquatic species, provide nutrients to adjacent ecosystems, act as a buffer against storms, erosion and sea level rise, and reduce flooding by slowing and absorbing rainwater.

Your responses will help the Northumberland Strait Coastal Restoration Project Team compile community input, local and traditional knowledge, and other saltmarsh – related information to support the saltmarsh restoration site selection process beginning in October 2018. 

Information provided on traditional practices will remain confidential.

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* 1. Can you identify past or current saltmarshes in the Northumberland Strait region of mainland Nova Scotia? 

Do you also know of tidal wetlands that experience “barriers”, such as roads, culverts, flood gates (aboiteaux), and dykes?  Do you know of coastal areas that flood frequently?

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* 2. Can you tell us about animals that live in these areas?

Examples might include different kinds of birds, fish, mussels, clams, snails, crabs, insects, muskrats, mink, raccoons, deer, etc.

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* 3. Can you tell us about the plants that live in saltmarshes?
Examples could include cord grass, saltmarsh hay, sweetgrass, eelgrass, algae, Spartina patens, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina pectinate, sea lavender, seaside goldenrod, aster, etc.

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* 4. Can you tell us about traditional, cultural or industrial uses for saltmarshes and coastal areas in the Northumberland Strait region?

Examples might include traditional hunting, fishing and gathering for specific species, or development for industries such as farming, fishing, the railway, etc.

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* 5. Can you tell us a story (or multiple stories) from your experiences growing up or living around saltmarshes?

Examples could include childhood experiences, your current lifestyle in relation to saltmarshes, cultural traditions, or gathering, fishing or digging for food or medicinal plants.

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* 6. Would you like to share with us your heritage (Mi’kmaw, Scottish, Acadian, etc.) or community affiliation (band affiliation, full time resident of  Tidnish, summer resident of Pictou, etc.)?

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* 7. Is there any other information you would like to share?

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* 8. Please provide us with your contact information. Your contact information will remain confidential and will only be used to contact you if you win the Community Knowledge Survey Prize, a $200.00 gift card to Canadian Tire; or if you’ve indicated you are interested in showing the project team tidal wetlands you have identified in the survey; or to send you project updates and/or volunteer opportunities if you’ve indicated your interest on this survey.

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* 9.
Please let us know if you wish to participate in any of the following.

The prize winner will be drawn and announced on Wednesday, October 10th, 2018. 

Thank you for participating in the Northumberland Strait Coastal Restoration Project Community Knowledge Survey!                                     

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